Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Artwork copyright Benson Shaw. Photo courtesy of the artist.

CACHE, 2004, Reconceived in 2017

Benson Shaw
(American, born 1950)

Location: Eastern Washington Regional Archives, Cheney

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

CACHE is a multi-element installation created by artist Benson Shaw. Ten mosaic, stainless steel disks are wall-mounted. The disks represent and interpret drawings, photos, maps, and text records from the Eastern Washington State Archives such as: the Monroe Street bridge, a horse brand, a map of Spokane County school districts, and more.

The surrounding plaza is also designed by Benson Shaw and is part of the artwork. The plaza features colored pavers in a "basket weave" pattern in reference to a Columbia Plateau native grass basket. Together these elements evoke a "cache" of hidden treasures. Shaw notes, "We can examine the contents to explore our cultural waypaths from Washington's territorial times to present."

The ten disks were originally installed within the entryway's basket weave pavers flooring in 2004 as an "exterior entry pavement carpet." The artwork orientation was re-configured in 2017 to better protect the mosaic disks.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Office of the Secretary of State.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Seattle-based artist Benson Shaw creates sculptures and architectural installations for public places in a variety of media. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics from Colorado College and a Master of Arts degree in sculpture and art history from the University of New Mexico.